Thomas Aiken Sr

Thomas H. Aiken, Sr., age 81, of Dallas, GA, passed away on Thursday,
December 23, 2010. He was born in Silver Springs, KY, September 26, 1929. Thomas was married to Betty Rakestraw Aiken for sixty years. He is the father of Lisa (David) Butler and Laura (Bill) Carruth. His grandchildren are Jodie (Ashley) Henson, Kristen Carruth, Kate Carruth, and Karoline Carruth. Great-grandchildren are Asher Henson and Breck Henson. He was preceded in death by his son Thomas H. Aiken, Jr. (Tommy), his parents Jodie A. Aiken and Maple Woodruff Aiken, and his sister Miss Juanita Aiken. He was a lifelong resident of Paulding County where all the family resides. Thomas owned and operated Aiken Grading Company for almost forty years. He raised cattle and enjoyed working on the farms. Noted memberships were the Masonic Lodge of Hiram #139 and Paulding County Nobility Club. A former racecar driver, he was an avid NASCAR fan. Thomas attended the University of Georgia and was a lifelong Bulldog fan. He was an Air Force veteran and has served as Commander of American Legion Post 111.

Thomas was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Close friends knew of his generosity. Thomas was very outgoing and well remembered by those who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First United Methodist Church of Dallas building fund. Donations should be addressed to Forward in Faith Building Fund at 141 East Memorial Drive in Dallas, GA 30132.

Visitation will be at Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, Georgia on Sunday, December 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 27 at the First United Methodist Church in Dallas, Georgia with Reverend Steve Schofield and Mr. Brad Carroll officiating. The interment will follow in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Dallas, GA. with Phil Graham, Sam Jenkins, Daniel Jenkins, Mike Flanagan, Brian Shipp, Carlton Rakestraw, Johnny Aiken and David Austin serving as pallbearers. Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.samclarkfuneralhome.com.